Sen. Marco Rubio told a private gathering of supporters this weekend that he has what it takes to win the White House and will spend the next months preparing for a presidential campaign.
The Florida Republican was in Miami Friday and Saturday to host his political operation’s fourth annual “Team Marco” donor retreat. Rubio stopped short of announcing for president and might yet choose to run for re-election to the Senate. But if some thought former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s presidential jockeying might discourage Rubio and steer him toward a second Senate term, that’s hardly what the 43 year-old lawmaker signaled to his guests.
According to Republican operatives in South Beach for the retreat, Rubio discussed his presidential prospects in confident terms and made clear that his political maneuvering from this point forward would reflect an intent, if not a decision, to seek the White House in 2016. Sources requested anonymity in order to be candid.
“He wants to be in a position to run,” a GOP insider who was in attendance confided to the Washington Examiner. “He believes that he has a winning vision for the party and the country, which is based on his life experience and the opportunity this country gave his family.”
How serious is Rubio? At least serious enough to skip Senate votes this week for a fundraising swing through California. Missing Senate votes is a move that could hurt Rubio on the trail in Florida if he decides to seek re-election, but is exactly what is necessary to raise the tens of millions of dollars he needs to mount a credible presidential campaign.
And although Bush’s potential entry into the race and aggressive fundraising operation could eat into Rubio’s expected base of support for a national bid, the senator appears to be holding his own. In Washington, veteran GOP operative Wayne Berman, who has ties to the Bush family political network, is sticking with Rubio. Also with him are major Republican donors Jim Rubrich of Atlanta and George Seay of Dallas.
Rubrich served on state leadership committees for the last three GOP presidential nominees (Mitt Romney in 2012, Sen. John McCain of Arizona in 2008 and President George W. Bush in 2004.) Seay has previously backed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and, in 2008, Romney, the former Massachusetts governor. Meanwhile, the donors hosting Rubio’s slate of fundraisers this week are some of the biggest names in California Republican money circles.
On Tuesday, co-chairs for the Rubio event in beachside La Jolla, Calif., near San Diego, include — among others — Kelly and Laurie Burt, who have raised money for Romney; Jenny Craig, founder of the well-known weight loss company; Papa Doug Manchester, who regularly hosts GOP fundraisers; and Doug and Nancy Barnhart, who have helped raise money for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.
Rubio also is headed to Newport Beach, Calif., for a fundraiser jointly hosted by the Hispanic 100, the Lincoln Club of Orange County and New Majority Orange County. Also on the docket: events in Costa Mesa, Calif., which is also in Orange County, and Beverly Hills, adjacent to Los Angeles.
On Sunday Rubio flew to Palm Springs to join a gathering of wealthy conservative activists and donors organized by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch. The event includes a Sunday evening policy forum that features Rubio and two other potential 2016 candidates: Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
